NJ Devils scuffle their way past NY Islanders, 4-2, to close out preseason

Saed Hindash/The Star-LedgerNew Jersey Devils player David Clarkson lands a punch to the face of Brendan Witt of the New York Islanders in the second period Tuesday night's preseason game at the Prudential Center.The Devils won four out of five games in this preseason, but they still haven't won over new head coach Jacques Lemaire, who harped about the team's inconsistency again after a 4-2 victory against the New York Islanders Tuesday night.

"Two good shifts, two bad shifts," Lemaire said afterward. "One good shift, one bad shift. The thing that is happening is that we don't have five guys working together. That is why we don't have that consistency."

Zach Parise and Travis Zajac each tallied a goal and an assist. Zajac's goal in the second gave the Devils the lead for good. Brendan Shanahan added some insurance in the third.

Martin Brodeur made 19 saves as the game lurched around him. Neither team established much of a clean rhythm, partially because it's the preseason and partially because the evening was marred by penalties. There were seven in all and five fights.

"It was a scrappy game there," Lemaire said.

THIRD PERIOD:

0:00: Well, that does it. The Devils win, 4-2, to finish the preseason 4-0-1. More to come later.

2:15: Brodeur bats away Tambellini's shot with his glove. Devils still lead as time drains away.

6:27: And Joel Rechlicz is back! He's fighting with Devils winger Andrew Peters. Rechlicz is out of here after that one.

7:57: GOAL, and Brendan Shanahan makes it a two-goal lead off an assist from Bergfors. Dainius Zubrus fed Bergfors to start the play. 4-2, NJD.

8:30: We're scuffling towards the end. The Islanders are pushing the action, but can't get any clean looks at Brodeur. A strong defensive effort tonight from the Devils. Both goals came on the power play.

15:29: Roloson stops a shot from Clarkson in his midsection. The Devils have control of the tempo right now.

19:22: The penalty gets killed and we're back to even strength.

SECOND PERIOD:

0:00: Devils head to the locker room with the lede and 38 seconds remaining on a penalty to Islanders winger Jeff Tambellini.

2:01: GOAL off a nifty give-and-go between Travis Zajac and Parise. Zajac gathered the puck as the Islanders tried to clear the zone and flicked a pass to Parise. He caught the puck in his hand, then shuttled it back to Zajac, who put it into the net. 3-2, NJD.

5:39: GOAL and Brian Rolston makes the Islanders pay. He streaks down the ice and chops one past Roloson's right side. Cory Murphy gets an assist. 2-2.

6:10: The Devils get their own power play after Sean Bergenheim gets called for hooking. Let's see if they can even things up.

9:42: GOAL and the Islanders take the lead. Streit smacks one past Brodeur. 2-1, NYI.

10:04: Two penalties tacked on it a row for the Devils. First Johnny Oduya gets whistled for a cross-check, then Rob Niedermayer for a high-stick.

13:20: Oh, good. Another fight. This time it's Clarkson roughing up defenseman Brendan Witt. Scores is 1-1 still. Four fights so far.

14:27: Roloson stones Jamie Langenbrunner on the doorstep, but Parise jabs the puck in and it's tied at 1.

16:52: Things aren't getting easier. Nicklas Bergfors receives a holding penalty behind the Islanders net. Another power play for the visitors.

18:48: The Islanders make them pay. A shot from defenseman Jack Hillen slips past Brodeur and New York leads, 1-0.

19:20: The Devils get slapped with a penalty for too many men on the ice.

FIRST PERIOD:

0:00: The period ends quietly. At least there was some fighting. The Devils out-shot the Islanders 7-5, but neither established much of a rhythm.

1:43: Brodeur blocks Smith's wrist shot, then sprawls to cover up. Smith had an open lane but shot it right at the goalie.

2:55: Mark Streit poke-checks the puck back into the Devils' zone and the penalty ends. Not much action to report, they never got set up in the offensive zone.

4:58: And it's our third fight of the night, and the second one involving Rechlicz. He ties up with Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond for a while as they tango around the ice and punch each other. These guys are fiesty tonight, if not crisp. But now, the Devils will a get a two-minute power play for instigating by Rechlicz.

5:00: Choppy action back and forth so far. Devils have six shots on goal, Islanders have three.

14:57: Just like that, Andrew Peters and Islanders winger Joel Rechlicz square up to fight. Meanwhile, this plays over the loudspeakers. The skirmish ends quickly and each get five minutes for fighting.

15:58: Roloson smothers David Clarkson's slapper from the blueline for another stoppage of play.

16:35: Zach Parise puts the first Devils shot on net, but Islanders goalie Dwayne Roloson gloves it with ease.

18:53: Good early chance in front for New York, but Brodeur stops Jon Sim.

PREGAME

7:04 p.m.: Martin Brodeur will be in net tonight for the Devils.

6:48: We're live here for the Devils' final preseason game, as they host the Islanders here at the Prudential Center in Newark. The Devils went up to the Nassau Coliseum and beat the Isles, 4-2, on Sept. 23. The Devils are 3-0-1 so far this preseason. Opening night is just four days away -- New Jersey hosts the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday.